Ultra-high density patch systems

ABSTRACT

A plurality of patch trays displaceably received in a chassis received in a left side or right side of an access side of a frame, and a splice tray removeably received in the access side of the frame. The splice tray having a capacity to receive at least about 288 fiber terminations and the plurality of patch trays displaceably received in the chassis having a capacity to collectively receive the at least about 288 fiber terminations from the splice tray. A patch tray including a row of pop-up adapter packs to collectively receive a respective portion of the at least about 288 fiber terminations received by the patch tray. The row of pop-up adapter packs arranged in the patch tray substantially in a left side or right side of the patch tray to offset the row of pop-up adapter packs to provide more space for routing the respective portion of the 288 fiber terminations in the patch tray.

BACKGROUND

An important consideration in data communication equipment is circuitdensity. Most central data communication locations have limited space.Therefore, there is a need to reduce the size of data communicationequipment, and install as much data communication equipment as possiblein a relatively small space at a central data communication location.

For data communication manufacturers, making high density frames can bea challenging process in which engineers develop frames to meet the highdensity needs of the central data communication locations whileprotecting communication lines, maintaining bend radii of thecommunication lines, and managing massive amounts of the communicationlines. This is particularly true for optical fiber communication lines,where the engineers create total front access (TFA) frames having a highdensity of optical fibers. Frames exist having a high density capacityof about 3,000 fiber terminations per frame, but the frames are not TFA,and instead require access to the backs of the frames. For example, inthe case where the frame has a high density capacity of about 3,000fiber terminations per frame, the splices are done at the back of theframe. Thus, a user must first splice cables at the back of the frame,and then traverse around a plurality of frames (e.g., a row of frames)to get to the front of the frame to patch the cables at the front of theframe the user is working on.

Moreover, when higher density capacities of fiber terminations areinvolved, the frames may be a dedicated splicing only frame or adedicated patching only frame, resulting in a higher quantity of frames,and consuming more space. Further, when higher density capacities offiber terminations are involved, footprints of the frames can becomeuncommon (i.e., not a standard size), resulting in uncommon spaceconsumption in data communication locations. For example, when higherdensity capacities of fiber terminations are involved, a 23-inch mount(58-centimeter mount) frame may be designed to have a footprint of awidth about 30 inches (76 centimeters) and a depth of about 24 inches(61 centimeters), which may be an uncommon footprint size used incentral data communication locations and may be difficult to utilizewith other existing frames and/or in relatively small spaces at thecentral data communication locations. Also, when higher densitycapacities of fiber terminations are involved, managing patch and spliceportions of the fiber terminations in the frames can be difficult.

SUMMARY

Data communication apparatus are described which are configured to havea high density of fiber terminations per frame (e.g., 3000 or more), aretotal front access (TFA), and have a common footprint (e.g., a width ofabout 30 inches (76 centimeters) and a depth of about 36 inches (91centimeters). Generally, the data communication apparatus include atotal front access frame having fiber termination chassis that providefor splicing and patching the high volume of fiber terminations, whileprotecting the fibers and maintaining bend radii of the fibers. Thissummary is provided to introduce simplified concepts of ultra-highdensity patch systems, which are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify essential featuresof the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determiningthe scope of the claimed subject matter.

In some examples, a data communication apparatus can include a framehaving an access side and a splice tray removeably received in theaccess side of the frame. In some examples, the splice tray can have acapacity to receive at least about 288 fiber terminations. The datacommunication apparatus can include a chassis received in a left side orright side of the access side of the frame. In some examples, thechassis includes a plurality of patch trays displaceably received in thechassis, and the plurality of patch trays can have a capacity tocollectively receive the at least about 288 fiber terminations from thesplice tray.

In other examples, a data communication apparatus includes a chassis tobe received by a frame, and a plurality of patch trays can bedisplaceably received in the chassis. The data communication apparatuscan include a breakout panel arranged with the chassis that manages(e.g., receives, routes, distributes, splits and/or divides) a pluralityof fiber terminations. In some examples, the breakout panel can receiveat least about 288 fiber terminations, and the breakout panel caninclude a plurality of breakout blocks. Each breakout block of theplurality of breakout blocks can split a respective portion of the atleast about 288 fiber terminations, and each patch tray of the pluralityof patch trays can receive the respective portion of the at least about288 fiber terminations from each breakout block of the plurality ofbreakout blocks.

In another example, a data communication apparatus includes a patch traydisplaceably receivable in a chassis. In some examples, the chassis canhave a capacity to receive at least about 288 fiber terminations, andthe patch tray can receive a respective portion of the at least about288 fiber terminations received by the chassis. In some examples, thepatch tray can include a row of pop-up adapter packs arranged in thepatch tray substantially on a left side or a right side of the patchtray. The row of pop-up adapter packs can collectively receive therespective portion of the at least about 288 fiber terminations receivedby the patch tray.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Theuse of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similaror identical items.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view, a top view, a side view, and aperspective view of an example data communication apparatus having fiberblocks received in a frame.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an example chassis receivableby the frame shown in FIG. 1 and a breakout panel attached to a rightside of the chassis.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view the example chassis shown in FIG.2 with a cover of the breakout panel removed and showing the insidefiber management features of the breakout panel.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of an example patch traydisplaceably receivable by the example chassis shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a detail view of an example slack management bayarranged in the example patch tray shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

This disclosure is directed to data communication apparatus having aplurality of patch trays displaceably received in a chassis received ina left side or a right side of an access side of a frame. The pluralityof patch trays having a capacity to collectively receive at least about288 fiber terminations from a splice tray removeably received in theaccess side of the frame. Because the plurality of patch traysdisplaceably received in the chassis have a capacity to collectivelyreceive at least about 288 fiber terminations from a splice tray havingcapacity to receive the at least about 288 fiber terminations, a usercan manage one displaceable conduit (e.g., riser tube, buffer tube,furcation tube, etc.) communicatively coupled between the splice trayand the chassis. In this way, a user (e.g., an installer, a technician,a splicer, an information systems technician, etc.) may route all of the288 fiber terminations in much less time as compared to routing aplurality of displaceable conduits between respective patch trays andsplice trays.

In another example, the chassis can include a breakout panel arrangedwith the chassis. The breakout panel can be arranged on a left side or aright side of the chassis above or below the splice trays and receivethe at least about 288 fiber terminations. For example, the breakoutpanel may receive the displaceable conduit communicatively coupled tothe splice tray and include a plurality of breakout blocks to split arespective portion of the at least about 288 fiber terminations. Thebreakout panel may also include a wall having a convex surface profileto provide a minimum bend radius of a respective portion of the at leastabout 288 fiber terminations and/or a fiber passage way to provide aminimum bend radius of a respective portion of the at least about 288fiber terminations. Because the chassis may include a breakout panel, auser may route respective portions of the 288 fiber terminations toindividual ones of the plurality of patch trays removeably received inthe chassis in much less time as compared to routing a plurality ofdisplaceable conduits between respective patch trays and splice trays.For example, because the breakout panel provides for routing respectiveportions of the 288 fiber termination to individual ones of theplurality of patch trays a user routes one displaceable conduit to thechassis rather than routing one displaceable conduit to a respectivepatch tray.

In another example, a patch tray of the plurality of patch traysdisplaceably received in the chassis can have a row of pop-up adapterpacks arranged in the patch tray substantially on a left side or a rightside of the patch tray. For example, the patch tray may have a row ofpop-up adapter packs arranged in the patch tray substantially on a leftside or a right side of the patch tray that can collectively receive arespective portion of the at least about 288 fiber terminations. Forexample, the respective portion of the at least about 288 fiberterminations received by the patch tray may comprise 900 micron fibertype terminations received on a left side or a right side of the patchtray, and the row of pop-up adapter packs further collectively receivesat least about 48 jumper type fiber terminations, the at least about 48jumper type fiber terminations exiting the patch tray on the left sideor the right side opposite the 900 micron fiber type terminations.Because the row of pop-up adapter packs are arranged in the patch traysubstantially on a left side or right side of the patch tray, the offsetof the pop-up adapter packs provides more space for the at least about48 jumper type fiber terminations to be routed with a minimum bendradius in the patch tray. For example, because the at least about 48jumper type fiber terminations have a larger outside diameter (e.g., 1.6millimeter or 2.0 millimeter) than an outside diameter of the 900 micronfiber type terminations, the at least about 48 jumper type fiberterminations require a larger minimum bend radius than the 900 micronfiber type terminations. Thus, the offset of the pop-up adapter packsprovides more space for the at least about 48 jumper type fiberterminations to be routed with a minimum bend radius in the patch traysmaking it easier or less difficult for a user (e.g., an installer, atechnician, a splicer, an information systems technician, etc.) to routeall of the 48 fiber terminations in one single patch tray.

In another example, the patch tray can include a slack management bayarranged in a back or a front of the patch tray. The slack managementbay provides for replacing (e.g., re-terminating) a damaged fibertermination connection of the respective portion of the at least about288 fiber terminations received by the patch tray. For example, theslack management bay can provide for storing additional length of therespective portion of the at least about 288 fiber terminationscomprising the 900 micron fiber type terminations received by the patchtray such that if a connection of one of the 900 micron fiber typeterminations breaks or fails the additional length of the 900 micronfiber type terminations stored in the slack management bay can be usedto replace the broken or failed connection.

Generally, a splice termination may be two separate fibers (e.g.,separate pieces of glass) being joined together through a splice (e.g.,joining two fibers end-to-end). And, a patch termination may be separatefibers (e.g., separate cables) terminated in a connector (e.g., LucentConnectors (LCs), subscriber connectors (SC), etc.)) having an endcondition (e.g., an angle-polished connector (APC) end condition or anultra-polished connector (UPC) end condition). In the patch termination,the separate fibers terminated in the connector may then be insertedinto an adapter (e.g., a coupler), where the adapter may provide for anadditional cable (e.g., jumper) to be inserted into the opposite endproviding a continuous path for light to pass through.

Illustrative Data Communication Apparatuses

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view 100 of an example datacommunication apparatus 102 having a frame 104 having an access side106. In one example, the frame 104 may comprise a full frame with afootprint having a width 108 of about 24 inches (61 centimeters) and adepth 110 of about 36 inches (91 centimeters). In another example, theframe 104 may comprise a half frame with a footprint having a width 108of about 24 inches (61 centimeters) and a depth of about 24 inches (61centimeters).

FIG. 1 illustrates a plurality of splice trays 112 removeably receivedin the access side 106 of the frame 104. Each of the plurality of splicetrays 112 can have a capacity to receive at least about 288 fiberterminations. FIG. 1 further illustrates a plurality of chassis 114(1),114(2), 114(3), 114(4), 114(5) and 114(N) received in a left side 116 ofthe access side 106 of the frame 104, and another plurality of chassis114(1)-114(N) can be received in a right side 118 of the access side 106of the frame 104 (not shown). Each chassis of the plurality of chassis114(1)-114(N) can have a capacity to receive the at least about 288fiber terminations from a respective splice tray 112. For example, eachchassis of the plurality of chassis 114(1)-114(N) can include aplurality of patch trays displaceably received in the chassis that havea capacity to collectively receive the at least about 288 fiberterminations from a respective splice tray 112 (discussed in detailbelow with regards to FIGS. 2 and 3).

FIG. 1 illustrates a plurality of displaceable conduits 120 (e.g., adeformable tube, a buffer tube, a furcation tube, etc.) arranged withthe plurality of splice trays 112. For example, each splice tray of theplurality of splice trays 112 can have two displaceable conduits 120communicatively coupled in a front right side of the splice tray or afront left side of the splice tray. One of the two displaceable conduits120 having capacity to contain the at least about 288 fiber terminationsreceived by the splice tray and a second displaceable conduit of the twodisplaceable conduits 120 having capacity to contain the at least about288 fiber terminations exiting the splice tray and communicativelycoupled to at least one chassis of the plurality of chassis114(1)-114(N) (discussed in detail below with regards to FIGS. 2 and 3).

FIG. 1 illustrates a fiber management bay 122 (represented by a linedhatch pattern) arranged substantially at a middle of the width 108 ofthe frame 104. FIG. 1 illustrates the first chassis 114(1) can bereceived in the left side 116 of the access side 106 and adjacent to thefiber management bay 122 and a second chassis (not shown) can bearranged opposite to the first chassis 114(1) and received in the rightside 118 of the access side 106 of the frame 104 adjacent to the fibermanagement bay 122. FIG. 1 also illustrates the plurality of chassis114(1)-114(N) can be received in the left side 116 of the access side106 of the frame 104 adjacent to the fiber management bay 122 andanother plurality of chassis 114(1)-114(N) (not shown) can be arrangedopposite to the plurality of chassis 114(1)-114(N) received in the rightside 118 of the access side 106 and adjacent to the fiber management bay122. The fiber management bay 122 arranged between the plurality ofchassis 114(1)-114(N) arranged on the left side 116 and the plurality ofchassis 114(1)-114(N) arranged on the right side 118 can provide forrouting the displaceable conduits 120 from the plurality of splice trays112 to the left and right side plurality of chassis 114(1)-114(N).

While FIG. 1 illustrates the plurality of chassis 114(1)-114(N) arrangedabove the plurality of splice trays 112 displaceably received in theaccess side 106 of the frame 104, the plurality of chassis 114(1)-114(N)and the plurality of splice trays 112 can be arranged in other ways inthe access side 106 of the frame 104. For example, the splice trays 112can be displaceably received proximate to a middle and/or a top of theaccess side 106 of the frame 104 and the plurality of chassis114(1)-114(N) can be received in the access side 106 of the frame 104below plurality of splice trays 112.

In another example, the frame 104 may meet Zone 4 seismicspecifications. For example, the frame may include primary load baringposts that are positioned substantially in a middle of the right andleft sides of the frame 104, and secondary load bearing posts.Specifically, in a Zone 4 geographic area, there is a one in ten chanceof experiencing a seismic event having an acceleration level of 0.04times that of gravity in the next fifty years. This compliance ispossible via a stress transfer from the secondary load bearing posts tothe primary load bearing posts.

Illustrative Patch Chassis

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view 200 of an example chassis 202receivable by the frame 104 shown in FIG. 1 with a breakout panel 204attached to a right outside surface 206(A) of the chassis 202 opposite aleft outside surface 206(B) of the chassis 202. The chassis 202including a plurality of patch trays 208(1), 208(2), 208(3), 208(4),208(5), and 208(N) displaceably received in the chassis 202. Forexample, each of the patch trays 208(1)-208(N) may be fixed to sliderails (e.g., plastic slide rales, metal slide rails, composite sliderails, etc.) fixed to the inside of the chassis 202. The patch trays208(1)-208(N) displaceably received in the chassis 202 such that each ofthe patch trays 208(1)-208(N) are displaceable between a stowed positionand an open position. When in the stowed position the patch trays208(1)-208(N) are arranged in the chassis 202, and when in the openposition the patch trays 208(1)-208(N) are arranged out in front of thechassis.

The breakout panel 204 attached to the right outside surface 206(A) ofthe chassis 202 may receive a displaceable conduit 210 (e.g., adeformable tube, a buffer tube, a furcation tube, etc.) communicativelycoupled to a splice tray (e.g., a splice tray of the plurality of splicetrays 112 shown in FIG. 1). The displaceable conduit 210 may have anoutside diameter of about 0.6 inches (1.5 centimeters) and may containat least about 288 fiber terminations 212 received from the splice tray.In one example, the at least about 288 fiber terminations 212 maycomprise ribbon fiber terminations.

In one example, the chassis 202 may have a width 214 of about 9.75inches (25 centimeters), a depth 216 of about 10.6 inches (27centimeters), and a height 218 of about 9.4 inches (24 centimeters). Inanother example, the chassis 202 may have a width 214 of at least about5 inches (13 centimeters) to at most about 15 inches (38 centimeters), adepth 216 of at least about 5 inches (13 centimeters) to at most about15 inches (38 centimeters), and a height 218 of at least about 5 inches(13 centimeters) to at most about 15 inches (38 centimeters).

FIG. 2 illustrates flexible members 220(A) communicatively coupled tothe breakout panel 204 and the right side of the patch trays208(1)-208(N), and flexible members 220(B) communicative coupled to theleft side of the patch trays 208(1)-208(N). The flexible members 220(A)and 220(B) are arranged with the patch trays 208(1)-208(N) to maintain aminimum bend radius of the at least about 288 fiber terminations. Forexample, the flexible members 220(A) maintain a minimum bend radius ofrespective portions of the 900 micron fiber type terminations comingfrom the breakout panel 204 and received by a patch tray of theplurality of patch trays 208(1)-208(N) and the flexible members 220(B)maintain a minimum bend radius of respective portions of the jumper typefiber terminations exiting the patch trays 208(1)-208(N). When a patchtray is slideably displaced in and/or out of the chassis 202, theflexible members fixed to the right and left sides of the patch trayflexibly displace along with the patch tray while maintaining a minimumbend radius to protect the fibers contained in the flexible members.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view 300 of the example chassis 202shown in FIG. 2 with a cover of the breakout panel 204 removed showingthe inside fiber management features of the breakout panel 204. Thefiber management features of the breakout panel 204 can include aplurality of breakout blocks 302(1), 302(2), 302(3), 302(4), 302(5) and302(N). Each of the breakout blocks 302(1)-302(N) may be arranged on theright outside surface 206(A) of the chassis 202 or the left outsidesurface 206(B) of the chassis 202. Each of the breakout blocks302(1)-302(N) are arranged to split a portion of the at least about 288fiber terminations 212 for a patch tray of the plurality of patch trays208(1)-208(N). For example, the portion of the at least about 288 fiberterminations may comprises a quantity of at least about 4 ribbon fiberterminations, each ribbon fiber termination comprising a quantity of atleast about 12 fiber terminations, and each breakout block 302(1)-302(N)is arranged to split about 48 fiber terminations for a respective patchtray of the plurality of patch trays 208(1)-208(N).

The fiber management features of the breakout panel 204 can include oneor more walls 304 having a convex surface profile to provide a minimumbend radius of at least a portion of the at least about 288 fiberterminations. The fiber management features of the breakout panel 204can also include a first convex passageway side opposite a second convexpassageway side, the first and second convex passageway sides defining afiber passageway to provide a minimum bend radius of the respectiveportion of the at least about 288 fiber terminations. The at least about288 fiber terminations 212 may exit the displaceable conduit 210 at abox 306 (e.g., a junction box, a clamp box, strain relief box, a gangbox, etc.). For example, the at least about 288 fiber terminations 212may comprise about 24 ribbon fiber terminations exiting the displaceableconduit at the box 306, each ribbon fiber termination comprising atleast about 12 fiber terminations, and the 24 ribbon fiber terminationsexiting the displaceable conduit 210 being routed via the breakout panel204.

Illustrative Patch Trays

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view 400 of an example patch tray 402displaceably receivable by the example chassis 202 shown in FIGS. 2 and3. The patch tray 402 including a row of pop-up adapter packs 404arranged in the patch tray 402 substantially on a right side 406 of thepatch tray 402 adjacent to a left side 408 of the patch tray 402. Eachof the pop-up adapter packs of the row of pop-up adapter packs 404 mayinclude connectors (e.g., Lucent Connectors (LCs), subscriber connectors(SC), etc.), fixed to a displaceable plate. Apertures 410 may bearranged in the patch tray 402 below of each of the pop-up adapter packsof the row of pop-up adapter packs 404 to provide bottom access to arelease mechanism for each of the pop-up adapter packs of the rows ofpop-up adapter packs 404. The row of pop-up adapter packs 404 cancollectively receive the respective portion of the at least about 288fiber terminations. For example, the respective portion of the at leastabout 288 fiber terminations received by the patch tray may comprise 900micron fiber type terminations 412 received by a first side (e.g., aright side) of the row of pop-up adapter packs 404. Each pop-up adapterpack of the rows of pop-up adapter packs 404 may receive at least about4 of the 900 micron fiber type terminations 412 on the first side of thepop-up adapter pack.

The row of pop-up adapter packs 404 may collectively receive at leastabout 48 jumper type fiber terminations 414 on a second side (e.g., aleft side) of the row of pop-up adapter packs 404 adjacent to the firstside of the row of pop-up adapter packs 404. The at least about 48jumper type fiber terminations 414 arranged to exit the patch tray 402on the left side 408 of the patch tray 402 opposite the 900 micron fibertype terminations 412 entering the patch tray 402 on the right side 406of the patch tray 402. For example, fiber management features arrangedin the left side 408 of the patch tray 402 can include a plurality ofwalls having convex surface profiles to provide minimum bend radii ofthe jumper type fiber terminations 414 while routing the jumper typefiber terminations 414 out the left side 408 of the patch tray 402. Thefiber management features of the patch tray 402 can also include a firstconvex passageway side opposite a second convex passageway side, thefirst and second convex passageway sides defining a fiber passageway toprovide a minimum bend radius of the jumper type fiber terminations 414.

With the row of pop-up adapter packs 404 arranged in the patch tray 402substantially on the right side 406 of the patch tray 402, the offset ofthe row of pop-up adapter packs 404 provides more space for the at leastabout 48 jumper type fiber terminations 414 to be routed with a minimumbend radius towards the left side 408 of the patch tray 402. Forexample, because the at least about 48 jumper type fiber terminations414 have a larger outside diameter (e.g., 1.6 millimeter or 2.0millimeter) than an outside diameter of the 900 micron fiber typeterminations 412, the at least about 48 jumper type fiber terminations414 require a larger minimum bend radius than the 900 micron fiber typeterminations 412 and the offset provides more space for the at leastabout 48 jumper type fiber terminations 411 to be routed to exit theleft side 408 of the patch tray 402. The minimum bend radius of thejumper type fiber terminations 414 may be at least about 1.18 inches (30millimeters). The minimum bend radius of the 900 micron fiber typeterminations may be at least about 0.63 inches (16 millimeters).

While FIG. 4 illustrates the pop-up adapter packs 404 arranged in thepatch tray 402 substantially on the right side 406 of the patch tray402, the pop-up adapter packs 404 may be arranged in the patch tray 402substantially on the left side 408 of the patch tray 402. In an examplewhere the pop-up adapter packs 404 are arranged in the patch tray 402substantially on the left side 408 of the patch tray 402, the 900 micronfiber type terminations 412 may enter the patch tray 402 on the leftside and the 48 jumper type fiber terminations may enter the patch tray402 on the right side of the patch tray 402.

FIG. 4 illustrates the patch tray 402 can include a slack management bay416 arranged in a back 418 of the patch tray 402 opposite a front 420 ofthe patch tray 402. While FIG. 4 illustrates the slack management bay416 arranged in the back 418 of the patch tray 402, the slack managementbay 416 could be arranged in the front 420 of the patch tray 402. Theslack management bay 416 provides for containing additional length ofthe 900 micron fiber type terminations 412 entering the patch tray 402.The additional length of the 900 micron fiber type terminations 412 isstored in the slack management bay 416 in an event that it is necessaryto replace a damaged fiber termination connection of the 900 micronfiber type terminations 412 entering the patch tray 402.

In one example, the patch tray 402 may have a depth 422 of about 12inches (30 centimeters). In another example, the patch tray 402 may havea depth 422 of at least about 6 inches (15 centimeters) to at most about18 inches (46 centimeters). The 900 micron fiber type terminations mayenter the patch tray 402 substantially at a middle 424 of the patch tray402. For example, the 900 micron fiber type terminations may exit aflexible member attached at the middle 424 of the patch tray 402 andenter the patch tray 402 at the middle 424 of a right side facing wallof the patch tray 402. Also, the at least about 48 jumper type fiberterminations 411 may exit the left side 408 of the patch tray 402substantially at the middle 426 of the left side of the patch tray 402.

FIG. 4 illustrates, in one example, the patch tray 402 may have a width428 of about 8 inches (20 centimeters). In another example, the patchtray 402 may have a width 428 of at least about 4 inches (10centimeters) to at most about 12 inches (30 centimeters). FIG. 4illustrates a section line A-A. The section line A-A is approximate tothe back 418 of the patch tray 402.

FIG. 5 illustrates detail view 500 that shows the slack management bay416 taken along the section line A-A. Detail view 500 illustrates theslack management bay 416 can include a first passageway side 502 and asecond passageway side 504 opposite the first passageway side 502. Thefirst and second passageway sides 502 and 504 defining a fiberpassageway 506. FIG. 5 illustrates a routing 508 (shown as an arrowedline) of the fiber passageway 506. The routing 508 of the fiberpassageway 506 showing the respective portion of the at least about 288fiber terminations having a cross-over 510 and minimum bend radii512(1), 512(2) and 512(N). For example, the 900 micron fiber typeterminations may enter the patch tray 402 substantially at the middle424 of the patch tray 402, follow the routing 508 to a minimum bendradius 512(1), follow the routing 508 along the second passageway side504 to a minimum bend radius 512(2), follow the routing 508 along thefirst passageway side 502 to a minimum bend radius 512(N) where the 900micron fiber type terminations follow the routing 508 to the cross-over510. At the cross-over 510, the 900 micron fiber type terminationsrouted from the minimum bend radius 512(N) cross-over the 900 micronfiber type terminations coming from the minimum bend radius 512(1).After the cross-over 510, the 900 micron fiber type terminations arerouted to the pop-up adapter packs 404 arranged in the patch tray 402substantially on the right side 406 of the patch tray 402. Because therouting 508 includes the cross-over 510, the length 422 of the patchtray is at least about 2 inches less than a length of the patch trayhaving a routing that does not include a cross-over. This is because anadditional 2 inches in the length 422 of the patch tray 402 would beneeded to include another minimum bend radius to route the 900 micronfiber type terminations to the pop-up adapter packs 404.

While FIG. 5 illustrates the routing 508 of the fiber passageway 506having a cross-over 510, the routing of the fiber passageway may nothave a cross-over. For example, the routing of the 900 micron fiber typeterminations may not have a cross-over, and instead the slack managementbay 416 may have another minimum bend radius to route the 900 micronfiber type terminations to the pop-up adapter packs 404. In this examplewhere the fiber passageway 506 does not have a cross-over, the length422 of the patch tray is at least about 2 inches more than a length of apatch tray having a routing that does include a cross-over.

CONCLUSION

Although the invention has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific featuresor acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosedas illustrative forms of implementing the invention. For example, whileembodiments are described having certain shapes, sizes, andconfigurations, these shapes, sizes, and configurations are merelyillustrative.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data communication apparatus comprising: aframe having an access side; a splice tray removeably received in theaccess side, the splice tray having capacity to receive at least about288 fiber terminations; a chassis received in a left side or right sideof the access side; a plurality of patch trays having a capacity tocollectively receive the at least about 288 fiber terminations, eachpatch tray of the plurality of patch trays being slideably received inthe chassis such that each patch tray of the plurality of patch trays isslideably displaceable between a stowed position arranged in the chassisand an open position arranged out in front of the chassis; and aflexible member communicatively coupled to the chassis and coupledsubstantially at a center of a patch tray of the plurality of patchtrays, the flexible member maintaining a minimum bend radius of arespective portion of the at least about 288 fiber terminations when thepatch tray is slideably displaced between the stowed position and theopen position.
 2. The data communication apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe chassis includes a breakout block arranged on a right outsidesurface of the chassis or a left outside surface of the chassis, thebreakout block for splitting a portion of the at least about 288 fiberterminations for a patch tray of the plurality of patch trays.
 3. Thedata communication apparatus of claim 2, wherein the portion of the atleast about 288 fiber terminations comprises a quantity of at leastabout 4 ribbon fiber terminations.
 4. The data communication apparatusof claim 1, wherein the at least about 288 fiber terminations compriseribbon fiber terminations.
 5. The data communication apparatus of claim1, wherein the frame comprises a footprint having a width of about 24inches (61 centimeters) and a depth of about 36 inches (91 centimeters).6. The data communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the chassiscomprises a width of about 10 inches (25 centimeters) and a depth ofabout 11 inches (28 centimeters).
 7. The data communication apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein each patch tray of the plurality of patch trayscomprises a width of about 8 inches (20 centimeters) and a depth ofabout 12 inches (30 centimeters).
 8. The data communication apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the chassis comprises a first chassis, the firstchassis received in the left side of the frame, and further comprising asecond chassis received in the right side of the frame; and wherein thefirst chassis and the second chassis are arranged above the splice traydisplaceably received in the access side of the frame.
 9. The datacommunication apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a fibermanagement bay arranged substantially at a middle of a width of theframe between the left side and the right side of the frame, the firstchassis received in the left side of the access side and adjacent to thefiber management bay and the second chassis arranged opposite to thefirst chassis received in the right side of the access side and adjacentto the fiber management bay.
 10. A data communication apparatuscomprising: a frame; a chassis to be received by the frame; a pluralityof patch trays slideably received in the chassis; a breakout panelcoupled to the chassis, the breakout panel receiving at least about 288fiber terminations, and the breakout panel including a plurality ofbreakout blocks, each breakout block of the plurality of breakout blockssplitting a respective portion of the at least about 288 fiberterminations; each patch tray of the plurality of patch trays beingslideably received in the chassis such that each patch tray of theplurality of patch trays is slideably displaceable between a stowedposition arranged in the chassis and an open position arranged out infront of the chassis, and each patch tray of the plurality of patchtrays receive the respective portion of the at least about 288 fiberterminations from each breakout block of the plurality of breakoutblocks; and a flexible member communicatively coupled to the breakoutpanel and coupled substantially at a center of a patch tray of theplurality of patch trays, the flexible member maintaining a minimum bendradius of the respective portion of the at least about 288 fiberterminations when the patch tray is slideably displaced between thestowed position and the open position.
 11. The data communicationapparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least about 288 fiber terminationscomprise ribbon fiber terminations, and the respective portion of the atleast about 288 fiber terminations comprises a quantity of at leastabout 4 ribbon fiber terminations.
 12. The data communication apparatusof claim 10, wherein the breakout panel further comprises a wall havinga convex surface profile to provide a minimum bend radius of a portionof the at least about 288 fiber terminations.
 13. The data communicationapparatus of claim 10, wherein the chassis comprises a depth of at leastabout 5 inches (13 centimeters) to at most about 15 inches (38centimeters), and each patch tray of the plurality of patch trayscomprise a depth of at least about 6 inches (15 centimeters) to at mostabout 18 inches (46 centimeters).
 14. A data communication apparatuscomprising: a chassis; a patch tray slideably receivable in the chassis;the chassis having a capacity to receive at least about 288 fiberterminations, and the patch tray receiving a respective portion of theat least about 288 fiber terminations; a row of pop-up adapter packsarranged in the patch tray substantially on a left side or a right sideof the patch tray, the row of pop-up adapter packs collectivelyreceiving the respective portion of the at least about 288 fiberterminations; the patch tray being slideably receivable in the chassissuch that the patch tray is slideably displaceable between a stowedposition and an open position, when the patch tray is in the stowedposition the row of pop-up adapter packs is arranged in the chassis, andwhen the patch tray is in the open position the row of pop-up adapterpacks is arranged out in front of the chassis; and a flexible membercommunicatively coupled to the chassis and coupled substantially at acenter of the patch tray, the flexible member maintaining a minimum bendradius of the respective portion of the at least about 288 fiberterminations when the patch tray is slideably displaced between thestowed position and the open position.
 15. The data communicationapparatus of claim 14, wherein the respective portion of the at leastabout 288 fiber terminations received by the patch tray comprises 900micron fiber type terminations, and the 900 micron fiber typeterminations received on a left side or a right side of the patch tray,and the row of pop-up adapter packs further collectively receives atleast about 48 jumpers, the at least about 48 jumpers exiting the patchtray on the left side or the right side opposite the 900 micron fibertype terminations.
 16. The data communication apparatus of claim 14,wherein the patch tray further comprises a slack management bay arrangedin a back or a front of the patch tray, the slack management bay toprovide for replacing a damaged fiber termination connection of therespective portion of the at least about 288 fiber terminations receivedby the patch tray, the slack management bay comprising: a firstpassageway side; and a second passageway side opposite the firstpassageway side, wherein the first and second passageway sides define afiber passageway, the fiber passageway routing the respective portion ofthe at least about 288 fiber terminations with a cross-over and aminimum bend radius.
 17. The data communication apparatus of claim 16,wherein the patch tray comprises a depth of at least about 12 inches (30centimeters).
 18. The data communication apparatus of claim 14, whereinthe patch tray further comprises a slack management bay arranged in aback or a front of the patch tray, the slack management bay to providefor replacing a damaged fiber termination connection of the respectiveportion of the at least about 288 fiber terminations received by thepatch tray, the slack management bay comprising: a first passagewayside; and a second passageway side opposite the first passageway side,wherein the first and second passageway sides define a fiber passageway,the fiber passageway routing the respective portion of the at leastabout 288 fiber terminations with a minimum bend radius.
 19. The datacommunication apparatus of claim 18, wherein the patch tray comprises adepth of at least about 14 inches (35 centimeters).
 20. The datacommunication apparatus of claim 10, wherein the flexible member is afirst flexible member, wherein the apparatus further comprises a secondflexible member communicatively coupled substantially at the center ofthe patch tray of the plurality of patch trays opposite the firstflexible member, and wherein the second flexible member is arranged tomaintain a minimum bend radius of the respective portion of the at leastabout 288 fiber terminations when the patch tray is slideably displacedbetween the stowed position and the open position.